Local Authority News
14/8/2024
Local Authority Pay In Scotland
Intervention by the Scottish Government has led to the suspension of planned industrial action by council workers, including refuse collectors, this week. The action has been suspended by all three trade unions after the Scottish Government provided £77.5 million to fund an improved pay offer.29/7/2024
Thurso Community Council Tries To Get the Real Reasons For Avonlea Children's Home in Wick closure
Thew John O'Groat Journal highlighted a letter from Thurso Community Council to Highland council. The controversy surrounding the closure of Avonlea Children's home in Wick and the decision to stop respite care in Thor House in Thurso has left people in doubt about the decisions.29/7/2024
Creating Economic Benefits For Local Communities - Still Time To Have Your Say
The Highland Council is reminding individuals and community groups that there is still time to take part in the consultation seeking views on the Draft Community Wealth Building Strategy. This new strategy aims to ensure every area and community across the Highlands can participate in, and benefit from economic activity.
29/7/2024
Blue-green Algae Warning At Loch Watten, Caithness
The Highland Council's Environmental Health team is advising caution as blue-green algae has been found in Loch Watten, Caithness. During periods of prolonged warm weather, the chance of Blue Green algae (cyanobacteria) affecting water courses, particularly ponds, lochs and canals (as well as rivers), increases significantly.
23/7/2024
Suppliers Invited To Meet The Buyer Event In Inverness
The Highland Council is seeking contractors to tender for a Highland Energy Efficiency Framework (domestic and non-domestic). Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "It is vital that local businesses take this opportunity and attend the ‘Meet the Buyer Event' being organised for them in Inverness.
16/7/2024
New Law Ensures That Children And Young People Will Be Consulted On Highland Policy Making
The Highland Council welcomes the introduction of new legislation announced today (16 July 2024) by the Scottish Government that incorporates the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban said: "The changes introduced will ensure that Highland's children and young people will be included in, and consulted with, on changes to existing policies and on the introduction of new policies being considered by The Highland Council.15/7/2024
Work Of Council's Storm Response Team Recognised
The action taken by the Council's roads teams across the Highlands in response to the impact of storms has been recognised. The team were delighted to win the Team of the Year at the recent Highland Council Staff Recognition Awards.
15/7/2024
Early Learning And Childcare North Consultation Survey Launch
The Highland Council's Early Learning & Childcare (North) Consultation is now live, and we want to hear from those living in the Lairg, Dornoch, Golspie, Farr, Scourie, Durness, Kinlochbervie, Tongue, Wick and Thurso area. The survey is open until Wednesday 31 July 2024.
11/7/2024
Highland Councils Multi-award-winning Hydro Ness Lands Another Prestigious Award
Highland Council's multi-award-winning renewable energy installation, Hydro Ness, has scooped another national design award. Hydro Ness and designer Leslie Hutt Architect received a prestigious Royal Institute of Architects in Scotland award at a ceremony at the National Galleries of Scotland on 3 June 2024.
8/7/2024
Ecology Strategy And Action Plan Consultation Now Open
Highland Council today (8 July 2024) launched a 12-week public consultation on its draft Ecology Strategy and Action Plan. The draft Ecology Strategy and Action Plan was approved at May's meeting of Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee and sets out an ambitious set of actions to tackle biodiversity loss and address the ecological emergency. Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: "The climate and ecological emergencies are interconnected, and biodiversity loss threatens our well-being and survival.
4/7/2024
Wick Centre Main Streets - 3 Weeks of Road Resurfacing and Drainage works
Highland council have announced resurfacing & drainage works being carried out on A99 Cliff Road, Bridge Street, High Street, George Street & North Road in Wick from Thursday 4 Jul 24 for approx 3 weeks. Road closure will be in place from Wed 10Jul - Sat 14 Jul between 10am & 3pm daily for the corner of Bridge Street & High Street to enable works.2/7/2024
New Public Toilets Finally Opened In Wick
A shining example of partnership in action has enabled the reopening of a much-needed public convenience in Wick which was closed for two years due to significant vandalism and anti-social behaviour. The town of Wick has over 7,500 residents, is a community hub for the surrounding local rural area of East Caithness and has seen a considerable increase in the number of visitors due to the popularity of the NC500 and the increase in staycation visitors.
2/7/2024
Roads Across Highland To Benefit Over 20 Years From The £2.1bn Highland Investment Plan
Highland Council's £2.1 billion twenty-year investment plan will add significant capital on top of existing and additional new commitments of £50 million for roads and transport infrastructure agreed as part of the 2024 budget setting process. £63.4m will be spent on roads and infrastructure improvements over the next 3 years.
1/7/2024
The Highland Campervan And Motorhome Scheme - £40 For Seven Days
A new voluntary scheme is now open to all campervan and motorhome users travelling across Highland, with the principle aim of delivering sustainable and responsible tourism in the Highlands. Earlier this year, the public, partners, and the Highland Council's staff were invited to take part in a survey and share suggestions ahead of the Council's budget for 2024/25.27/6/2024
Addressing The Housing Challenge In Highland
Highland Council has agreed a number of strategic objectives with the aim of finding solutions to a Highland Housing Challenge. It is anticipated that 24,000 new houses will be required in Highland in the next ten years.26/6/2024
Staff Recognised In Highland Council Staff Recognition Award Ceremony 2024
Council staff have been recognised in the Highland Council's Staff Recognition Awards on Friday 21 June. Convener, Bill Lobban said: "Congratulations to everyone, both those who won awards, but also to all those who were nominated and shortlisted for the Highland Council Staff Recognition Awards 2024.
26/6/2024
Local Government 2023-24 Provisional Outturn And 2024-25 Budget Estimates
The Chief Statistician has released figures on 2023-24 provisional outturn and 2024-25 budget estimates for revenue and capital services provided by local authorities. In 2023-24, net revenue expenditure on local authority services was provisionally reported as £14,627 million in 2023-24 and budgeted as £15,005 million for 2024-25.19/6/2024
Council Tax Reduction Supports Over 450,000 Households
Scotland's Chief Statistician today released the latest annual Council Tax Reduction statistics. In March 2024, Scotland’s Council Tax Reduction scheme supported 461,550 households (an increase of 1.6 per cent from 454,350 in March 2023) and the total weekly income forgone by local authorities was £7.543 million (an increase of 2.4 per cent from £7.364 million in March 2023).18/6/2024
Local Feedback Sought For The Highland Local Living Tool
Communities and businesses are being called on to help inform an interactive tool which assesses how well Highland places meet the principles of local living. ‘Local living' aims to provide people the ability to meet the majority of their daily needs within a reasonable distance to their home.
13/6/2024
